If you are on the lookout for a simple tie knot, consider the oriental knot. It is arguably the easiest tie-knot to master.
It has only a few steps and doesn’t require much practice to get it right. The Oriental knot is also often called a simple knot – it’s that simple!
How to Tie the Simple Knot (Oriental Knot)
This way of knotting your tie begins differently than you might expect!
Don’t drape your tie around your neck the way you would usually start.
Instead, put the tie around your neck but lay the “right side” of the tie against the back of your neck. The “wrong side” needs to be facing up.
Hang the wide end over your right side, and make it longer than the narrow end. The narrow end should lie approximately level with your belly button.
Place the Wide End Under the Narrow End
Begin as you do for most tie knots by moving the wide end to cross with the narrow end.
However, unlike many other styles, this time, it crosses underneath the narrow end, also known as the small end.
The two sides of your tie should now form an X, with the wide end on the left side.
Move the Wide End Across the Small End
Fold the wide end of your tie around the top piece. Do this by wrapping the wide end over the small end, this time bringing the fabric on top.
It should once again be on the right side of the tie’s narrow end. And this time, the “wrong side” is facing underneath.
Bring the Wide End Underneath the Neck Loop
Flip the top of the wide end up through the neck loop, starting from the bottom.
Once it peeks up through the loop, the “right side” of the tie should be directly in front of your face. Pull that end through.
Move the End Through the Knot
Feed the tie’s end down between the top layer of fabric and the knot in the front of your neck loop. Pull it all the way through.
Tighten your knot with both hands, holding the narrow end with one hand and sliding the knot up toward the top of your collar.
You don’t need to make it very tight; a little looseness is acceptable since this is a rather casual knot.
The tip of your tie should reach your belt buckle. If it’s longer than your waist, retry knotting your tie, starting with a different placement.
Sometimes, you may need to switch to a shorter tie.
About the Simple Oriental Knot
The simple oriental knot is very commonly used in China but isn’t a well-known way of wearing a tie outside Asia.
That’s likely because it isn’t a self-releasing knot, making it more of a challenge to remove.
Most Western knots are removed with a simple tug of the knot. However, the simple oriental knot needs to be untied with both hands.
This way of tying creates a super small knot. Also, it is asymmetrical, so it looks ever so slightly lopsided toward the side you started your wide end on.
Its unbalanced nature means that it isn’t appropriate for formal settings.
Perhaps a unique aspect of the simple oriental knot is that it has an inverted tail. That means that the narrow end of your tie, which lies underneath the top layer, has the wrong side facing out.
Still, it’s hidden behind the top layer of your tie.
Where to Wear a Simple Knot (Oriental Knot)
This knot style is relatively casual. However, it is an excellent fashion for business-casual or social settings.
It feels professional in informal settings because it’s so compact and clean. The simple oriental knot is not a messy knot.
The simple knot looks best when paired with a narrow point-collared dress shirt.
However, it would get lost in a widespread collar. A large knot like Windsor would work better for this dress shirt style.
The oriental knot works surprisingly well with thick ties or ties that feature a prominent print. A thick fabric helps give the knot some prominence.
You’ll find that the simple oriental knot can easily slip, so you’ll likely be tightening it frequently. It’s also not a good match with a silk tie since silk is rather slick.
Who Can Wear the Simple Oriental Knot?
This tie knot doesn’t flatter everybody. I recommend this style to tall men. Typically, men who are tall need help with the length of their ties.
Their long torsos often cause ties to fall too short. Because this knot is minimal, it leaves extra length for your tie, so it helps cover a longer torso.
This style also complements narrow faces. A large knot would make a thin face appear even thinner, so it helps to keep your knot proportional to your face.
Hi, I’m Alex, and I’ve studied and specialized in styling in Rome. Through my writing, I want to help men dress well and learn the purpose and significance of suits and other formal attire. My final goal is to make men more confident in their wardrobe choice and life in general.
